Young Indians launches campaign on on child abuse

A pioneering project from Tiruchi’s chapter of Young Indians to raise awareness about combating child sexual abuse (CSA) has been adopted by the organisation, affiliated to the Confederation of Indian Industry, through its 37 branches across 25 states recently.

Project Komal, inspired by an episode of actor Aamir Khan’s talk show  Satyamev Jayate , focuses on spreading awareness about CSA in Tiruchi district’s schools, and supports the local branch of Childline India Foundation, which is in charge of intervention and rehabilitation through its helpline service ‘1098’. It was launched on October 9, 2013.

Around 5,000 children have been exposed to the programme in Tiruchi district, which involves the screening of an animation film (‘Komal’) on the subject followed by group discussions with student volunteers.

The film by Climb Media explains “bad touch” and “good touch” in a simple style while highlighting the rules of personal safety for children.

Project Komal’s volunteers are drawn from M.A.M. College, Care Group of Institutions, and Bishop Heber College.

The initiative was launched nationally at the 11th summit of Young Indians, held in Delhi last month, by Nobel Peace Prize laureate and founder of the Bachpan Bachao Andolan, Kailash Satyarthi.

Earlier, in recognition of his efforts, project director Ketan J. Vora received the Karmaveer Chakra — an award for voluntary action instituted with the United Nations and Rex Karamveer Global Fellowship by the International Confederation of NGOS (iCONGO).

“Our chapter is just two years old and for its pilot project to be adopted on such a vast platform as the Young Indians will surely help us reach out to millions of children,” Vora told The Hindu .

“Project Komal is being replicated in Erode, where around 250 teachers have been sensitised on CSA. I can see it gathering momentum in the near future,” he added.

The Childline India Foundation estimates that child sexual abuse was more widespread than imagined in the country.

Three institutions roped in for the programme

Message delivered via an animation film called “Komal”